The South African business delegation comprising over 100 businesspeople from different sectors visited Algeria to participate in the African Investment and Business Forum. The forum, which is attended by about 3 000 delegates from different African countries has been organised by the inter-sectorial organising committee headed by the Algerian Minister of State, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Briefing the delegation at the business forum, the Ambassador of South Africa to Algeria, Mr Thokozani Dlomo said Algeria presented a lot of opportunities and South African businesses wanting to do business in Algeria needed to have a long-term strategy.

“Algeria is a historically socialist country and they have recently developed a strategy that seeks to create an environment that is inclusive of business. The country is making strides and needs South Africa to be successful. It is therefore very important to have a long-term strategy if you intend doing business with Algerians as they are only starting off, and a lot of projects will take time to realise,” said Dlomo.

He said Algeria was also looking to diversify its economy trying to advance other sectors in order to move away from dependence on oil alone, and this needs a mixture of outsiders and insiders. According to Dlomo Algeria has opportunities in mining, tourism, energy, construction, among others.

The Vice Chairperson of Professionals at the Black Business Council (BBC), Ms Zukiswa Ntlangula said the BBC was ready to do business in Algeria. She added that there were already Memoranda of Understanding that they had entered into and needed to formalise working relationships with Algerian businesspeople.

“We want to iron out policy and legal frameworks in terms of organising business dealings with the business in this country,” she highlighted.

Speaking at the same briefing the co-chairperson of the Women Empowerment Advisory Council in the Department of Public Works, Ms Vuyiswa Ndzakana said they welcome the opportunity to come to Algeria and hopes the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will have further consultations with businesspeople to help them understand the business culture in Algeria.

“We are interested in infrastructure and construction projects, as well as